As a family we love Disney, there is nothing like that feeling of driving through the Walt Disney World entrance for the very first time on a trip. The excitement and build up to what is always an incredible 2 weeks. But what do older children love about Disney ?
We have visited 3 times, and have spread our trips out so the boys have got to experience a very different Disney Trip every time we have visited.
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The last time we visited Walt Disney World the boys were 10 and 15 and I could not have imagined what a different holiday it would have been. I had visions of us queuing to have character photos taken and dining with the character at the speciality dining. What I didn’t take into account is how the boys have changed, how they have grown up and wanted something totally different from our Disney experience.
Here are my tops tips of getting the most out of a Disney Holiday with older children.
On our last trip we stayed in a one bedroom suite, which worked well, having a bit more space would have been perfect. When the boys were toddlers we spent far more time in the parks per day. During this visit they wanted more down time, they longed to be round the pool or chilling in the room. And would you believe they wanted lazy mornings.
I suppose it was always going to be different with a teen, but I didn’t factor in sleep time, and chill time! You don’t chill at Disney, it’s all go go go, but no teens apparently do.
Yes, they wanted to visit the parks, but each day had a shelf life before they wanted to get back to the pool. A Villa Holiday would be a perfect solution for our next trip, giving the boys the freedom and space to have a little chill time. Having a games room would be perfect, and somewhere I know they would spend hours.
And a private pool so Chris and I could enjoy breakfast and a chill in the morning sunshine whilst that lazy pair are catching up on their much-needed beauty sleep. Trust me, nothing good comes from dragging a teen out of bed to early in the morning.
Plan speciality dining with them, I am so glad I did this as they had zero interest in character dining, and preferred themed restaurants such as the Boat House and Sci-Fi Diner. Of course having a villa would also give us the option to dine in and chill by the pool on the occasional days we have spent hours at the parks, under the hot sun.
Discus available ride choices, and book your fast pass plus rides in advance. The larger and faster rides were of course the boy’s main focus on our last trip. I sneaked in one fast pass for It’s A Small World and it went down like a lead balloon. I made them ride as it is my favourite ride! But they were most definitely more geared towards the thrill seeking rides this trip, which do get booked up. So careful and organised planning is required.
Explore the other theme parks, we loved Universal and only spent a day there, we all came away after a wonderful day of thrill rides wanting to go back for more. If you are visiting Universal the VIP pass is a great idea as it cuts the queue time dramatically, we found this a godsend when travelling with older kids who get bored easily.
The older the boys get the more need we all have for a little personal space when travelling, and that is why a villa holiday is a great option for our next trip. Â Giving us lots of space, and somewhere to cook should we wish too.
And a pool and games room to give us all a little chill time. The hardest part for me will be choosing a Villa, Top Villas have some incredible properties so wow how on earth do you choose. But I do think I can see myself chilling around this gorgeous pool
Oh the villas look amazing! I’m totally coming with you next time. My kids are hankering for another Disney trip, and the last time we went, Maddie still believed the princesses were real (which believe me, was utter magic!), so it would be very different this time, and I’ve wondered if we might spend more time at Universal. It would make me sad to miss Disney though, and I’d definitely want a ride on It’s a Small World!
Really good to know what your boys needed, and that they still enjoyed some of the magic.
I have never met the Princesses boo, there is still so much to do for teens at Disney Helen, Jack loved the rides, and Joe even got a little braver this holiday. And wow how amazing do Top Villas look, they are incredible x
Ha I can just imagine the boys rolling their eyes on Its a small world. I know that when we return it will be a totally different trip. We crammed 3 trips in in just 25 months, and I know a Disney trip will be so different know with a teen and tween in tow. I love all the space that a villa brings, and our last villa had an amazing games room and pool area. Ah your post is making me want to go back now, though I can just see myself queuing up for the Princesses by myself lol x
Ha ha they were Tracey, but I just love it so much. We do love Disney and Universal it is such an action packed holiday. But one this we learn form our last holiday is how much the boys love chilling, so we need to find that balance x
How amazing are those villas? We first went to Disney in Florida when I was 15 and my brother was 10 and then again when I was 17, both times we stayed in a villa and it’s probably the only way I’d do it now. You’re right, even though I love Disney (I still did character meets at that age!) there was a lot more chill time. We would go into the parks early, come out and have lunch at the villa by the pool then go back of an evening. I wish there had been a games room though, I can see that being perfect for your boys! xx
I know Hayley, they so love Games Rooms and these Villas are just incredible perfect for families, and perfect to give the boys a little chill time x